Punjab govt publicity van rams into bike in Patiala, two dead

The Punjab government publicity van in police custody after the accident that killed two men on a bike, in Patiala on Friday.
(Bharat Bhushan/HT Photo)

Two young men were killed in a collision between a bike and a publicity van of the Punjab government on the Bhadson road in Patiala on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as Gurtej Singh, 22, of Kalajhar village in Sangrur and Harkirat Singh, 22, of Allowal village in Patiala.

Harkirat Singh, one of the victims.

According to police, the deceased were on their way to Sidhuwal village when the van rammed into their bike near the petrol pump on the Bhadson road. The van was turning towards the filling station when the mishap occurred.

On the complaint of victims’ friend Pushvinder Singh, police have registered a case under sections 279 (rash driving), 304A (causing death by negligence) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code against the van driver Monu, a UP resident, who is at large.

Bakshiwala station house officer (SHO) Bhupinder Singh said the bodies have been handed over to the families after autopsy.

“We have impounded the vehicle and efforts are on to nab the driver,” said the SHO.